2008   PAA Hall of Fame Award

Throughout the past 30 years, this inductee for the 2008 Pennsylvania Auctioneers Association Hall of Fame has engaged in meritorious service towards his fellow Auctioneers, promoted and advanced the auction profession and provided service to the community at large.

In the support of his fellow Auctioneers, this gentlemen has made both he and his auction equipment available to competing auction  firms when called upon.  It didn’t matter whether you needed a larger tent, or a bid caller, he would do anything within his power to help.

He has donated his auction skills to local fund raising efforts.  In addition, when such charity auctions took place, he invited other auctioneers to showcase their skills and offered young auctioneers the opportunity to hone their skills, as well.

For the past 25 years during which he has been a member of the PAA, he has been involved in auctioneer association meetings and functions, not only as an auctioneer, but as an active participant.  All the while, he has demonstrated a willingness to share his knowledge with elected officers and members at large, who have benefited greatly from his experiences and counsel.

Many of his contributions are those which have been unselfishly repeated year after year...some for decades.  Yet, to this point in time, his honesty, high ethical standards and willingness to share with others have remained largely unacknowledged.

Because of the massive amount of hours that our inductee has donated to innumerable service organizations, he has also, been highly visible in the community.  While providing this community service, those with whom he comes in contact, know undoubtedly that he is first and foremost, proud to be an Auctioneer.  In the process, his selfless dedication and good humor have cast a favorable light upon the auction method of marketing and Auctioneers everywhere.

Over the years he has made substantial contributions of time, effort and recourses in support of the agra-business and farm community as well.

One of six brothers and sisters, he began hauling livestock at 16 years of age, while running the fair circuit showing swine, and continuing through his years as a 4H member.  After graduation from high school in 1972, he attended PSU.  All the while, he continued to work on the family dairy farm until 1976.  And today, he is a partner with his brother on their 500 acre dairy farm.

· He has served as a 4-H leader, department chair and 4H Chairman

· He and his staff have contributed auctioneering services for the 4H Cheese Yield Auction, and the 4H & FFA Market Livestock Sale at the Crawford Co Fair since 1978, as well as having completed his 29th year as a buyer at the 4-H Livestock Sale.

· He has donated services to the Amish School and Hospital Benefit Auctions and the Salvation Army Benefit Auctions and countless other local causes.

· He has volunteered auctioneering services for the All Breed Calf Sale in his part of the  state.  He has also served as an  Auctioneer  for  4 different County Livestock Auctions: Crawford, Erie, Mercer and Venango.

· He has served on the Farm-City Day Committee, his local County Council of Farm Organizations, 4-H & FFA Livestock Complex, the local County Fair Board since 1992, and has been a Member of the Fairground Building Association since 1993.

· Member of the Kiwanis, Lions Clubs, The Grange, and his Area Business Association.

· He is a Lifetime Member of the National Auctioneers Association and a member of the Ohio Association.

· And as a member of the Pennsylvania Auctioneers Association he has held the title of both President and Bid Calling Champion.

In 1976, he graduated from the Reppert School of Auctioneering and began working as an apprentice auctioneer with Earl Nicolls.

By 1981 he developed a successful partnership with Bruce Nicolls where he continued to practice the auction marketing profession until May of 1989, when he founded the company which now bears his name.

During his career, he has conducted auctions of livestock, farm equipment, business liquidations, real estate, antiques and estates.  And together with the apprentices that he has sponsored and trained, sold literally, hundreds upon thousands of items too numerous to mention.

Ladies and gentlemen, I am so honored to have the opportunity to make this presentation tonight, because it is a distinct possibility that I, myself, may not be standing here before you today had it not benn for his kind invitation to attend my first PAA Chapter meeting.

My friends, please help me welcome your 2008 PAA Hall of Fame inductee...my good friend...and New Crawford County Commissioner… from Conneaut Lake, Pennsylvania...C. Sherman Allen.

Written by Mike Calvert, 814-683-4809

Presented 1/11/08 at the Presidents Banquet during the PA Auctioneers Association 60th Anniversary Conference and Show held at the Sheraton Harrisburg-Hershey Inn, Harrisburg, PA.

C. Sherman Allen is also a member of the: National Auctioneers Association (lifetime member) and the Ohio Auctioneers Association as well as the Pennsylvania Auctioneers Association